Lasers

The word LASER in an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.  The characteristics of lasers are coherent light (same frequency), phase and polarization.  This is different from a common light source that emits a range of frequency.  These light characteristics of a laser allow it to be well controlled by optics to collimate (or focus) the laser into a well-controlled point or line.

Lasers have become common place in todays world.  Laser find use in all areas of life.  Some diverse examples include entertainment to industrial cutting and welding to medical.  One technology that has greatly advances the use and reliability of solid state lasers is the CD, DVD and now the Blue-Ray disk players. 

While triangulation sensors can theoretically operate with almost any type of light source, almost all sensors today use a solid state laser diode with appropriate optics as the light source because they provide easily controlled, bright lines or spots. Lasers used in 3D sensors are industrial grade equivalents of the common laser pointer. The solid-state laser is a compact, efficient, low power consumption, long-lifetime light source for sensors. LMI has developed a laser mounting and optics design which provides extremely high pointing precision to insure stable accuracy in triangulation.
Lasers can either be visible, often a wavelength of 680 nM or in the near visible range.  For use in 3D triangulation sensors, the frequency of the laser selected is matched to the frequency that the detector is most sensitive to for best operation.

Laser Safety

Users must be aware of laser safety regulations, which are established to prevent eye damage from extended exposure to laser illumination. Based on laser energy density, lasers are classified in various power levels to describe the capabilities of a laser system to produce injury to personnel. Each class has specified safety precautions to be followed. The area of the sensor where the laser beam emits is labeled with the laser class and related information.

Instruction manuals provided with all LMI 3D sensors contain details regarding laser safety classifications and proper procedures for safe operation of specific sensors.